What: Bring a yoga mat or a beach towel and enjoy family-friendly free yoga outdoors led by instructor Allison Boyd

When: 9 a.m. Saturdays, April through Nov. 2

Where: Victory Park, 1001 N. Pershing Ave., Stockton

Information: For more information, find Free Yoga in Victory Park on Facebook. To inquire about Free Yoga in Victory Park or Yoga in the Vineyard events, send an email TO khubaka@yahoo.com

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STOCKTON - On a sunny spring day in Victory Park, Yvonne Shearer is stretched out on a yoga mat on the grass working on some poses.

Next to her, Charlie the canine is sprawled out too.

They are letting go and getting into the flow at Free Yoga in Victory Park - a movement that is in its second season and takes place every Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. through Nov. 2.

"I love the openness here and that I can bring my dog, Charlie," Shearer said, confirming that Charlie does, indeed, make an effort to follow along. "If you notice, sometimes he does the poses."

The class is led by instructor Allison Boyd and welcomes participants to explore flexibility, balance and strength in the outdoor setting.

"Take the sounds of the water and just go with those sounds," she said of the park's pond filled with its resident ducks. "Let go of your to-do list for the weekend and celebrate the fact that you're here and we're together."

Boyd is accompanied by Michael Harris, who serves as her sound tech and disc jockey.

As she leads two dozen people through an hour-long session of what Boyd calls therapeutic flow yoga, Harris turns up some jazzy tunes.

"I realized I had to make modifications because you never know who is going to show up," Boyd said of the poses she describes. "We have people with a wide range of abilities."

Beverley Dierking said she enjoys the class. "I've just started coming and I like that it's outdoors," she said as she rolled up her yoga mat. "It's so nice to feel the cool breeze.

Nielsh Charan, who walked to the park with some friends, said it's a way for people to experience something positive in the community. "I love Victory Park," he said. "And this is great exercise."

Free Yoga in Victory Park takes place near the park's rose garden and usually draws from 20 to 40 people.

While it's free of charge, Boyd accepts donations.

Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat or a beach towel along with a positive attitude.

She also organizes vineyard events featuring yoga followed by lunch and wine tasting.

"I want to introduce people to yoga," she said of her passion. "This is kinda my baby right now."